ECM - ECM 432 -  180 Gram Vinyl - Limited Edition - Pressed in Germany

. a melodic and rhythmic force that simply delights. First-class sound, Audio, December 2017

Recorded in 1990, Barzakh was the ECM debut of Tunisian oud master Anouar Brahem. Now re-released on 180g vinyl after many years' absence in the LP format, it was an album that immediately captured the attention of press and public with its gracefulness and authority. Phenomenal this is pure Arab music, without world music frippery, wrote Karl Lippegaus in Stereo.

Brahem is joined here by Bechir Selmi, the sensitive violinist from the Musical Ensemble of Tunis, and percussionist Lassad Hosni, whose earthy frame drum and speeding darbouka would come to be important components of later Brahem recordings including Conte de incroyable amour and Astrakan Café. Beyond the improvisatory brilliance, Barzakh gave notice also of Brahems gift for writing arresting themes and luminous melody,

Admittedly, most of the stylistic subtleties in the play of the Arabic lute virtuoso Anouar Brahem will remain hidden from the average European listener: why he is considered one of the greatest musicians in his native Tunisia, and often massively attacked for his free, experimental handling of traditional music To understand Arabic music requires deeper knowledge of the subject matter. However, "Barzakh", his debut album on ECM in 1990, also conveys something else immediately: Brahem's deep emotionality, the fineness of his attack, the enormous range of his playing, his melodic flair - whether he was with his two colleagues on violin and percussion rushes into breakneck rhythmic rage, or, as in the title piece, delays into laconically reduced poetry, always takes this extraordinary music immediately for yourself.

Musicians:
Anouar Brahem, oud
Bechir Selmi, violin
Lassad Hosni, percussion

Selections:
Side 1:
1. Raf Raf
2. Barzakh
3. Sadir
4. Ronda
5. Hou
6. Sarandib
Side 2:
1. Souga
2. Parfum De Gitane
3. Bou Naouara
4. Kerkenah
5. La Nuit Des Yeux
6. Le Belvedere Assiege
7. Qaf